Fun ways to get your kids involved in house cleaning

Kids and a messy house usually go hand in hand, but it need not be that way. Here are some fun ways in which you can get your child to lend a helping hand to keep the house in order, without them throwing a fuss.

Give specific jobs: Don’t aim to clean everything on a weekend. Pick one area of the house at a time and give them specific jobs instead of asking them to clean their room. Assign tasks like pick all the books first, and then put the toys and clothes in place.

Play games around it: Who said household chores have to be boring? Play a timer game, where the challenge is to put a certain number of toys back or a given number of shoes in the rack in five minutes, or a treasure hunt, where they have to find scattered items and put them back.

Role play: Tell them to believe that they are actually in a cleaning commercial where they have to show the audience how a mop works, or what goes where in a chest drawer. You could also let them take charge, where they play the role of parent and you the kid and then ask them to instruct you about how to keep things in place.

Get some music on: Working around the house is always fun if the atmosphere is energised and upbeat. So, play some nice music and break into a little dance with your kids every now and then to keep them engaged and actively involved.

Reward them: A job well done should always be praised. Set rewards points for every task completed or each toy picked, which can be redeemed later when it reaches a certain number. Or make their favourite dessert, which the entire family can have together after completing the task of cleaning the house.